Oakland Park In No Rush On Flooding

December 8, 2005|Anthony Lamb Pompano Beach

Hurricane Wilma has taught South Floridians a lot. For some, it has been the appreciation of electrical power; for others, a roof over their head. Those who live in Oakland Park, however, need to know that their City Hall officials have not been doing their jobs.

We have all seen and heard the frightful stories of people evacuated from their homes. Just last week, 50 more were routed from their homes due to their roofs collapsing.

My real problem and concern with the city of Oakland Park, however, is their ignorance of dealing with their flooding problems. I call it ignorance because four years ago, as a senior at Northeast High School, when I interviewed the mayor and city manager of Oakland Park, they cited flooding as the biggest problem they face.

Four years ago? Are you honestly telling me that it took a natural disaster and $5 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to even construct a plan?

They can't claim ignorance. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, city officials are evaluating short-term and long-term solutions to their flooding problem. As a concerned citizen and journalist, I have to ask: "What took so long?"